Radio ... and Me - 33

It's the 'I-can-hear-clearly-now' File.
During the 50s to the 70s, I listened to lots of music on the radio. But the sound quality was really never that great.

First of all, the music was broadcast on AM around here, and the sound quality didn't improve until the onset of FM, and then stereo FM.
The speakers in cabinet and transistor radios (but not the car radios) had been designed primarily for the spoken word. Unless you had really expensive 'hi-fi' gear, with big speakers, you pretty well had to rely on the local jukebox for excellent sound quality!
Now I listen to the same music (don't even THINK of playing 'covers') on FM radio or the internet, using headsets, and NOW have access to better sound quality, so I can hear all the voices and instruments that the record producer had crammed in those tunes.
When I listen attentively to some of my favourite songs, I discover many new voices and more instruments in the original arrangements!
Here are a 'Top Ten' list of the favorites that I have collected on CD or via YouTube, in no particular order:
– Wreck of the John B., by Jimmy Rodgers.
i like the whole arrangement, from the lyrics of an old folk song, lead and background guitars, and first class elocution by Rogers.
– It's Another World, by the Wilburn Brothers.
A country song featuring excellent harmony by only two voices, because brothers (You've probably heard of the Everly Brothers?) usually did this well.
– Cindy, oh Cindy, by Eddie Fisher.
I like the scenes that the lyricist/singer invokes, and the background Melody carried out throughout the song by the orchestra. (Hugo Winterhalter)
– I'll Never Find Another You, by the Seekers.
Again, great harmony, arrangement, but especially the strong, soaring voice Judith Durham, lead singer.
– Tossin’ and Turnin', by Bobby Lewis.
The Number One song in 1961, at 10-10 WINS New York, with a hard-driving rock 'n' roll beat and back up singer line.
– Making it Work, by Doug and the Slugs.
Great beat, great harmony on the repeated title line, and the whole arrangement. The video is simply hilarious!
– This Diamond Ring, by Gary Lewis and the Playboys.
From 1965, a song with a great beat, pounded out by timpanis, (a xylophone) snares and even tom-toms by a great drummer: Gary Lewis himself!
– Sea of Heartbreak, by Don Gibson.
A classic of the Nashville sound by Chet Atkins, with great lyric, excellent bass man ('bom-bom-bom", the Anita Kerr singers on back up, And see if you can find a guitar counter-melody on the later chorus, which sounds a lot like coming from Chet himself!
– 18 Yellow Roses, by Bobby Darin.
This song was commonly written-off by disc jockeys as coming from Darin's "Country Period.” Deserves much better than that! I thought it was just an excellent song, With the the zinger coming right at the end!
(Spoiler alert: The song is being sung by her FATHER!)
– Up a Lazy River, by Si Zentner.
Excellent big band tune, lots of beat, lots of brass, and the lead instrument is (surprise surprise!) a trombone.
And, as a bonus, if you want to check out a great music video, on YouTube, visit:
— Moonlight Feels Right, by Starbuck.
I don't usually recommend concert videos, but this one from 1976 is exceptional: great lyric, well delivered and, yah gotta love the fantastic marimba break!
You will notice, Dear Reader, that I have eclectic tastes in music!
If you listen attentively to these tunes, and many others, you will notice some fantastic arrangements, which to me, are just now being appreciated using modern reproduction!